Q. Regardless of how you vote, what words would you use to describe the positions taken by Julia Gillard and Tony Abbott on the issue of asylum seekers? Choose as many that you think apply.

17 Oct 2011

3 Dec 2012

Julia Gillard

Tony Abbott

Julia Gillard

Tony Abbott

Difference

Just playing politics

46%

47%

39%

42%

-3

Too soft

21%

7%

32%

9%

+23

Stubborn

26%

20%

13%

17%

-4

Populist

13%

14%

13%

11%

+2

Fair

10%

15%

10%

13%

-3

Responsible

11%

16%

9%

14%

-5

Unethical

24%

14%

9%

13%

-4

Balanced

7%

11%

7%

10%

-3

Too hard

10%

6%

6%

11%

-5

Cruel

13%

9%

5%

11%

-6

Principled

6%

11%

5%

8%

-3

Visionary

6%

5%

2%

4%

-2

The most common descriptor for both Julia Gillard (39%) and Tony Abbott (42%) was that they are “just playing politics” over the issue of asylum seekers.

The main difference between the leaders positions on asylum seekers was that Julia Gillard was more likely to be considered “too soft” (32% to 9%).

Since this question was asked in October last year, the proportion describe Julia Gillard’s position as too soft has increased by 11%, stubborn decreased by 13%, unethical decreased by 15% and cruel decreased by 8%. Opinions of Tony Abbott’s position have remained much the same.